Backup firearm holster assembly

ABSTRACT

A holster assembly including a holster defining a firearm receiving cavity and a strap extending between first and second ends. The first end of the strap is connected to the holster and the second end of the strap is adjustably connectable relative to the holster. The strap is manufactured from an elastic material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a backup gun holster assembly. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a backup firearm holster assemblyconfigured for secure attachment to a user's thigh such that it can beaccessed through a pocket opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many situations when a police officer, other law enforcementofficer or the like may have need for a backup firearm. One scenariooccurs when the officer is subjected to a “gun grab”, wherein anindividual physically grabs the officer and then tries to take theofficer's primary gun from the officer's hip holster. As the officer andthe individual wrestle for the primary gun, the officer typicallyutilizes their dominant hand to block the individual's access to theprimary gun. During the altercation, the individual may be on top of theofficer or otherwise limiting the officer's movement. If the officer haseasy access to a backup firearm with their off hand, they will have abetter chance of safely resolving the situation.

Unfortunately, officers do not have an adequate means to carry a backupfirearm, and therefore, many officers do not carry a backup firearm.Those that do are limited to carry a small caliber gun, typically ontheir ankle “Ankle carry” is largely ineffective in many situationswhere a backup firearm would most likely be used, for example, thescenario described above. If the individual is on top of the officer orotherwise restricting the movement of the officer, it is very difficultfor the officer to quickly reach an ankle carried backup gun,particularly with their non-dominant hand.

Such ineffectiveness often causes an officer not to carry a back-upfirearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one aspect, the present invention provides a holster systemthat allows an officer to carry a back-up gum which is readily accessedby their off hand, stays in place during rigorous physical activity, andis both “comfortable” and “comforting.”

In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a holster assemblyincluding a holster defining a firearm receiving cavity and a strapextending between first and second ends. The first end of the strap isconnected to the holster and the second end of the strap is adjustablyconnectable relative to the holster. The strap is manufactured from anelastic material.

In at least one embodiment, the invention provides a garment having apocket with a passage therethrough and a holster assembly including aholster defining a firearm receiving cavity and a strap extendingbetween first and second ends. The first end of the strap is connectedto the holster and the second end of the strap is adjustably connectablerelative to the holster. The strap is manufactured from an elasticmaterial. In at least one embodiment the passage is a sealable passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, and, together with the general descriptiongiven above and the detailed description given below, serve to explainthe features of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is front elevation view of an exemplary holster utilized in anexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the exemplary holster of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of an exemplary holster assembly inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention in a preattachedcondition.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holster assembly of FIG. 3 in anattached condition.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of another exemplary holster assemblyin accordance with an embodiment of the invention in a preattachedcondition.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the holster assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the holster assembly of FIG. 3 in use.

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of an exemplary sealable passage within apocket in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are elevation views illustrating an exemplary retro-fitsealable passage kit in a non-assembled and assembled condition,respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout.Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describespreferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should beunderstood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limitedby the preferred embodiments described herein.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary holster assembly 10 in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention will be described. The holsterassembly 10 generally comprises a holster 20 and a securing strap 40.With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the exemplary holster 20 includes aflexible backing pad 22 with a main pad section 24 and opposedextensions 26. The backing pad 22 may be manufactured from any naturalor synthetic flexible material such that it may shape to the user's leg12 when attached thereto, but has sufficient tensile strength that itdoes not substantially deform under the tension of the strap 40 whenattached to the user. An exemplary material is leather. In theillustrated embodiment, the back surface 23 of the pad 22 has a gelpocket 25 which provides added comfort to the user.

A holster shell 30 is attached to the front surface 21 of the pad 22 viascrews 34 or the like as is known in the art. The shell 30 has acontoured body 32 such that a firearm receiving pocket 36 is definedbetween the shell body 32 and the backing pad 22. The shell body 32 canhave various configurations corresponding to different firearms and mayinclude portions to ensure the firearm remains in the holster 20 evenduring significant activity of the user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the shell 30 is manufactured from a rigidmaterial, for example, Kydex™. The shell 30 is preferably constructed ofthe thin material to allow for best concealment. The shell 30 may bemade from other rigid and non-rigid materials. With a rigidconfiguration, the holster 20 allows for easy re-holstering of thefirearm, for example, re-holstering after leaving a secure buildingwhich requires the removal of all firearms. This may be particularlyadvantageous since the holster assembly 10 will be concealed and notamenable to visual re-holstering.

In the present embodiment, each of the extensions 26 defines arespective slot 28 a, 28 b for attachment of the securing strap 40. Thestrap 40 has a body 42 extending between opposed ends 44 and 46 with alength greater than its width. The length may be any desired length suchthat the strap 40 is sufficiently long to wrap around the user's thigh.The width may be any desired width, but is preferably of a relativelysignificant width, for example, 5 inches, to provide good weightdistribution of the holstered firearm and comfort to the wearer.

In the illustrated embodiment, one end 44 of the strap 40 is permanentlyconnected to the holster 20 by extending through the slot 28 a andstitched upon itself at 45. Other permanent and non-permanent methodsmay be utilized for attaching the end 44 of the strap to the holster 20.The opposite end 46 of the strap 40 is configured to be adjustablyconnected to the holster 20 via the other slot 26 a. With reference toFIG. 4, the holster pad 22 is positioned against the user's leg 12 andthe strap free end 46 is extended around the leg and through the slot 28b. The free end 46 is then folded back against and attached to the strapbody 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the outside surface of the strapbody 42 has a series of loops 43 while the free end 46 has a series ofhooks 47. The hooks 47 engage the loops 43 to secure the free end 46 ofthe strap 40 to the strap body 42 to secure the holster assembly 10 onthe user's leg 12. While the illustrated embodiment shows loops 43 alongsubstantially the entire length of the body 42, such is not required andthe loops may be provided only in designated areas. It is alsounderstood that the hooks and loops may be reversed and that otherremovably securable fasteners may be utilized, for example, hook andeyes or reuseable adhesive. Additionally, while the illustrated strap 40generally does not cover the holster pad 22 or shell 30, the strap 40may be otherwise routed such that it extends across the holster shell30, for example, to further retain the firearm and/or cover the holster20 to reduce the chance of the shell or firearm “printing” through theuser's clothes, ie an outline showing through the clothes.

To ensure a secure, stable attachment of the holster assembly 10, thestrap body 42 is made from an elastic material such that the strap 40may pulled tight about the user's leg before securing the free end 46.The elastic tensile force of the strap 40 will cause the strap 40 tocompress about the user's leg. The adjustable nature of the strap 40allows the user to find a tension/compression that is comfortable forthe user while maintaining the holster 20 in a stable position.

In a preferred embodiment, the strap body 42 is manufactured from ablend of polychloroprene and spandex, however, other materials may beutilized. The spandex provides the desired elasticity. Thepolychloroprene causes the strap body 42 to have a tackiness which helpsprevent the holster assembly 10 from slipping down the leg of the userand it also helps to disperse perspiration which adds to comfort andhelps reduce potential rusting of the firearm.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an alternative holster assembly 10′ inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention will be described. Theholster assembly 10′ is similar to the previous embodiment and only thedifferences will be described. The holster assembly 10′ includes a softshell holster 20′ which is defined by a flexible pad 22′ that has afront portion 21′ folded upon a rear portion 23′ and secured thereto,for example via stitching (not shown), to define the firearm receivingpocket 36′. The holster 20′ may be manufactured from, for example,leather.

The holster 20′ does not include extensions as in the previousembodiment. Instead, the first end 44′ of the strap body 42′ is secureddirectly to the rear portion 23′ of the holster 20′ via stitching 49 orthe like. To secure the free end 46′ of the strap 40′, an attachment pad48 is provided on the front portion 21′. The inward facing surface ofthe strap body 42′ includes a series of loops 43 while the attachmentpad 48 includes complimentary hooks 47. To secure the holster assembly10′, the holster 20′ is positioned against the user's leg and the strap40′ is wrapped around the leg and the loops 43 of the body 42′ connectedto the hooks 47 of the attachment pad 48. The strap 40′ again is madefrom an elastic material such that it may be tensioned and secured toprovide a compressed fit about the user's leg. The strap 40′ may also bewrapped such that it covers a portion of the firearm 50, to helpmaintain the firearm 50 in the holster receiving pocket 36′.

Referring to FIG. 7, a preferred method of use of the holster assemblies10, 10′ of the present invention will be described. The holster assembly10 is secured to the user's leg 12 such that the firearm 50 is alignedwith a pocket 62 of the user's pants 60. While pants are describedherein, it is understood that the garment may take other forms, forexample, shorts, jeans, trousers, etc. The pocket 62 will have astandard upper opening 64 such that the user may extend their hand intothe pocket 62. An inner portion 65 of the pocket 62 will define apassage 66 which is sufficiently large to allow the user to reachthrough the passage, grab the firearm 50 from the holster 20 and removetheir hand with the firearm 50 positioned therein. As describedhereinafter, it is preferable that the passage 66 is a sealable passage;however, it is contemplated that the user's pocket 62 can bemanufactured with a permanent passage 66.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an exemplary sealable passage 66′ which isformed integrally within a pocket 62 will be described. The pocket 62 isformed by opposed sidewalls 63 which are secured in a standard manner todefine the pocket 62 with a standard opening 64. The sealable passage66′ is formed along an inner portion 65 of the pocket 62. The sealablepassage 66′ is preferably along a lower most portion of the pocket 62,but may be otherwise positioned. The sealable passage 66′ includes apair of opposed connectors 68, with each connector secured to arespective wall 63 of the pocket 62. The connectors 68 may have variousconfigurations, for example, complementary magnets, complementary hookand loop fasteners, or complementary plastic zipper seals. Theconnectors 68 are preferably strong enough to support the weight ofcommon items in the pocket 62, e.g. a set of house keys, loose changeand paper money, but no so strong to inhibit the immediate access to thefirearm 50.

To allow the user to easily separate the connectors 68 and reach throughthe passage 66′, each connector preferably has an engaging member 70extending therefrom into the pocket 62. In the illustrated embodiment,each engaging member 70 extends from a connection end 72 and tapersoutward to a free end 74 such that a tapered groove 76 is definedbetween the two engaging members 70. To open the sealable passage 66′,the user urges their fingers (not shown) into the tapered groove 76 suchthat the engaging members 70, and thereby the connectors 68, are urgedapart. After the firearm 50 has been removed, the connectors 68 can bereconnected such that the pocket 62 resumes its normal functionality.The sealable passage 66′ is not limited to the configuration illustratedherein. For example, more or fewer than two engaging members may beutilized. Additionally, as described above, the location of the sealablepassage may be otherwise provided, for example, at a midpoint along onewall 63 of the pocket 62. In such an embodiment, the connectors 68 wouldboth be connected to the same wall 63, but still separate to define thepassage. Other modifications may also be incorporated without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an exemplary retro-fit sealable passagekit 80 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will bedescribed. The kit 80 allows an officer to retro-fit existing garmentsto include a sealable passage 66′. The kit 80 includes a side wall 82with an open end 84 and a sealable passage 66′, similar to thatdescribed above, extending between the opposed side walls 82 oppositethe open end 84. To retro-fit an existing pocket 62′, a hole 67 iscreated in a desired area of the pocket 62′ and the kit 80 is positionedsuch that the open end 84 of the wall 82 is within the hole 67, oralternatively, the hole 67 of the pocket 62′ is positioned within theopen end 84 of the kit 80 and then the wall 82 is secured to the pocket62′, for example, via stitching 86 or the like. It is also contemplatedthat the side wall 82 may have a length substantially equal to thelength of the existing pocket 62′, whereby the pocket 62′ is retro-fitby removing the pocket 62′ in its substantial entirety and replacing itwith the kit 80.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly,it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes ormodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments withoutdeparting from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It shouldtherefore be understood that this invention is not limited to theparticular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include allchanges and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of theinvention as defined in the claims.

1. A holster assembly comprising: a holster defining a firearm receivingcavity; a strap extending between first and second ends, the strap firstend connected to the holster at a first connection location on theholster and the strap second end adjustably connectable relative to asecond connection location on the holster, wherein the strap ismanufactured from an elastic material and is elastomeric over at leastthe length of strap extending from the first connection location to thesecond connection location.
 2. The holster assembly of claim 1 whereinthe strap second end is adjustably connectable relative to the holstervia complementary fasteners.
 3. The holster assembly of claim 1 whereinthe complementary fasteners include hook and loop fasteners.
 4. Theholster assembly of claim 2 wherein an outer surface of the strapincludes a first of the complementary fasteners and the second endincludes a second of the complementary fasteners, and the second end isextended through a slot in the holster and folded back upon the strapwhereat the first and second complementary fasteners are engaged toadjustably connect the second end relative to the holster.
 5. Theholster assembly of claim 2 wherein the holster includes an attachmentarea with a first of the complementary fasteners and an inside surfaceof the strap includes a second of the complementary fasteners.
 6. Theholster assembly of claim 1 wherein after the strap second end isconnected relative to the holster, a portion of the strap extends acrossthe firearm receiving cavity.
 7. The holster assembly of claim 1 whereinthe strap is manufactured from a blend of spandex and polychloroprene.8. The holster assembly of claim 1 wherein the holster includes a pad towhich the first end of the strap is connected.
 9. The holster assemblyof claim 8 wherein a holster shell is attached to the holster pad todefine the firearm receiving cavity.
 10. The holster assembly of claim 9wherein the holster shell is manufactured from a rigid material.
 11. Theholster assembly of claim 8 wherein a first side of the pad includes agel pocket extending along at least a portion thereof.
 12. The holsterassembly of claim 1 wherein the holster includes a flexible materialfolded upon itself to define the firearm receiving cavity.
 13. A holstersystem including a garment having a pocket with a passage therethroughand a holster system according to claim
 1. 14. The holster system ofclaim 13 wherein the passage is a sealable passage.
 15. The holstersystem of claim 14 wherein the sealable passage includes complementaryconnectors on opposed sides of the passage.
 16. The holster system ofclaim 15 wherein the complementary connectors include complementarymagnets, complementary hook and loop fasteners, or complementary plasticzipper seals.
 17. The holster system of claim 15 wherein the sealablepassage further includes at least one engagement member associated withthe complementary connectors such that a force applied to the at leastone engagement member causes the complementary connectors to separate.18. The holster system of claim 13 wherein the sealable passage isdefined in a kit configured for attachment to the garment.
 19. Theholster system of claim 18 wherein the kit is configured for securementto an opening in the pocket of the garment.